Substrate to releasably adhere to a region of apparel

ABSTRACT

A shoe accessory adapted to releasably adhere to an inside surface of a shoe and at the same time also releasably adhere to a wearer&#39;s foot or textile material on the wearer&#39;s foot; said shoe accessory comprising a flexible substrate; said substrate having a first working face and a second working face; said first working face lying substantially parallel to and coextensive with said second working face; said first working face spaced from said second working face in the range 0.01 mm to 10 mm; said first working face covered with a first glue layer; said second working face covered with a second glue layer.

The present invention relates to an accessory and, more particularly to a substrate adapted to releasably adhere to a region of apparel. In a particular form the apparel includes a shoe where the accessory is applied to a portion of the foot region of a wearer and a method of use therefor.

BACKGROUND

Shoes, particularly but not exclusively those for women, often provide less than total support for the foot of a wearer of the shoe. This is particularly the case with what might be termed ‘fashion’ shoes which sacrifice support for aesthetics.

Some forms of interposed or after market inserts are known which, in the main, are intended to reduce slippage in the plane of a shoe surface as between the wearer's foot and that shoe surface. For example sponge-like inserts are available to be interposed between the ball of a wearer's foot and a corresponding inside shoe surface.

However, merely seeking to reduce slippage as between one surface and another in the plane of the surface often does not improve convenience of wear or total support provided by the shoe to the wearer's foot.

An allied problem is that where straps are relied on to support the wearer's foot or, indeed, to retain the wearer's foot within the shoe the above mentioned devices do not assist in maintaining the relationship between the straps and the foot when placed in the shoe.

A further and related problem is that it has been observed that some women simply find it too inconvenient verging on impossible to wear sling back type shoes or shoes with no back/heel support (known as “mules”) in the sense that they simply find they cannot walk in these forms of shoes. It has been observed that this is particularly the case where a stocking or sock or the like is worn on the foot and thereby interposed between the shoe and the wearer's foot.

Another problem perhaps more often experienced by women relates to difficulties with some forms of clothing. Problems of modesty, either because of the cut, movement of the body within the garment or the inherent nature of the garment, gaps or slippage may cause discomfort or embarrassment to the wearer. Although adhesive tapes intended to address this problem are known, the nature of such tapes makes them less than satisfactory in a number of situations.

It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

Notes

1. The term “comprising” (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of “having” or “including”, and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of”. 2. The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided a shoe accessory adapted to releasably adhere to an inside surface of a shoe and at the same time also releasably adhere to a wearer's foot or textile material on the wearer's foot; said shoe accessory comprising a flexible substrate; said substrate having a first working face and a second working face; said first working face lying substantially parallel to and coextensive with said second working face; said first working face spaced from said second working face in the range 0.01 mm to 10 mm; said first working face covered with a first glue layer; said second working face covered with a second glue layer. Preferably, said substrate is comprised of a substantially non-extensible plastics material. Preferably, said substrate is comprised of an extensible, compressible material. Preferably, said first glue layer preferentially adheres to said first working face and said second glue layer preferentially adheres to said second working face. Preferably, said first glue layer is of a different adhesive strength to said second glue layer. Preferably, that glue layer intended for application against a portion of said shoe has a greater adhesive strength than the glue layer intended for application against the wearer's foot or textile material on the wearer's foot. Preferably, said first working face is spaced in the range 0.1 mm to 6 mm from said second working face. Preferably, said first working face is spaced approximately 2 millimetres from said second working face. Preferably, said first working face is spaced in the range 2 mm to 4 mm from said second working face. Preferably, said substrate is in the range 4 cm to 12 cm in length. Preferably, the length of said substrate is in the range 6 cm to 12 cm. Preferably, the length of said substrate is approximately 8 cm. Preferably, the width of said substrate is in the range 3 mm to 10 mm. Preferably, the width of said substrate is in the range 3 mm to 7 mm. Preferably, the width of said substrate is approximately 7 mm. Preferably, said inside surface of said shoe is a rear strap of said shoe adapted to support an ankle region of a wearer of said shoe. Preferably, said inside surface of said shoe is an inside heel surface. Preferably, said inside surface of said shoe is an inside ball of foot surface. Preferably, the accessory in use, provides resistance to relative movement between said inside surface of said shoe and said wearer's foot in three dimensions. Preferably, said substrate is elongate. Preferably, said substrate has rounded ends. Preferably, said substrate is substantially circular. Preferably, said substrate is substantially square. In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a clothing accessory tape adapted to releasably secure a surface of an article of clothing to another surface of an article of clothing or to the skin of a wearer of said article of clothing; said tape comprising a flexible substrate; said substrate having a first working face and a second working face; said first working face lying substantially parallel to and coextensive with said second working face; said first working face spaced from said second working face in the range 0.01 mm to 2 mm; at least one of said first working face and said second working face covered at least partially with a glue layer. Preferably, said glue layer is protected prior to use by a peel-off strip of non-adhesive material. Preferably, said surface of an article of clothing and said another surface of an article of clothing are surfaces of the same article of clothing. Preferably, said surface of an article of clothing and said another surface of an article of clothing are surfaces of two separate articles of clothing. Preferably, said first working face and said second working face are covered at least partially with a first said glue layer and a second said glue layer respectively. Preferably, each of said first glue layer and said second glue layer are of equal adhesive strength. Preferably, said first glue layer and said second glue layer are of different adhesive strength. Preferably, said tape is provided as a set of tapes forming adjoining strips of a sheet of tapes; individual said tapes separated by lines of perforations. Preferably, said tape is provided as a continuous roll. Preferably, said tape is provided as one of a set of tapes graded in adhesive strength; first and second said glue layers being of equal adhesive strength. Preferably, said tape is provided as one of a set of tapes graded in adhesive strength; first and second said glue layers being of unequal adhesive strength. Preferably, relative adhesive strength of a glue layer is indicated on a said peel-off protective layer covering said glue layer prior to use. Preferably, at least one side of said tape is provided with a non-adhesive portion; said non-adhesive portion exposing said substrate. Preferably, said non-adhesive portion is a central section of said at least one side; said central portion flanked on either side by end portions provided with said glue layer. Preferably, said substrate is provided in a range of colours. Preferably, said tape is provided in packaging; said packaging indicating possible applications of said tape; said packaging indicating possible uses relative to said adhesive strengths indicated on said peel-off protective strips. In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method for control of an article of clothing; said method including the steps of:

(a)providing a strip of substrate prepared with a glue layer at least partially covering at least one side of said substrate,

(b) removing protective peel-of non-adhesive cover strip from said at least one glue layer,

(c) applying at least a portion of exposed said glue layer to at least a first portion of said article of clothing.

Preferably, said exposed glue layer is further applied to a second portion of said article of clothing. Preferably, said exposed glue layer is further applied to the skin of a wearer of said article of clothing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with detail of a shoe accessory according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an example of use of the shoe accessory of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 illustrates three-dimensional resistance to movement forces acting in relation to the arrangement of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 illustrates a storage and presentation arrangement for the shoe accessory according to preferred embodiments of the present invention,

FIG. 5 is a side view of a shoe accessory according to a further embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a side view of a shoe accessory according to a further embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 7 is a side view of a shoe accessory according to a further embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 8 is a side view of a shoe accessory according to a further embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 9 illustrates the application of a tape according to the present invention to an article of clothing,

FIG. 10 illustrates the application of the tape to further article of clothing,

FIG. 11 illustrates one arrangement for supply of the tape of FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 9 and 10,

FIG. 12 illustrates a further arrangement for supply of tapes according to the invention,

FIG. 13 illustrates a further preferred embodiment of a tape according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiments—Shoe Accessories

With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of a shoe accessory 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In this instance the shoe accessory 10 comprises a substrate 11 in this instance in the form of an elongate strip having a first working face 12 lying substantially parallel to and spaced from a second working face 13. The two working faces 12,13 are spaced apart a distance T which in preferred forms lies in the range 0.1 to 6 millimetres and more preferably is approximately 2 millimetres.

As shown in the inset comprising section AA in FIG. 1. first working face 12 has applied to it a first glue layer 14 substantially over the entire surface thereof. Similarly the second working face 13 has applied to substantially its entire surface a second glue layer 15. Preferably the glue layer is less thick than dimension T of the substrate 11. Preferably the glue layer 14, 15 has a thickness no greater than 0.1 millimetre.

In a first preferred form of use the shoe accessory 10 is intended to be applied to an inside surface of a heel strap 16 of a woman's shoe as illustrated in FIG. 2. With this particular use in mind the substrate 11 is selected to have a length in the range 4 centimetres to 12 centimetres and more preferably around 8 centimetres. It is selected to have a width in the range 3 millimetres to 10 millimetres and more preferably to be approximately 7 millimetres in width.

Prior to use in relation to shoe 17 the glue layers 14,15 are protected by respective first protective peelable tape layer 18 and second protective peelable tape layer 19. In a particular preferred form first protective peelable tape layer 18 extends substantially coextensively over the entire area of first working face 12. It includes a serrated or tear portion 20 which an intending user can cause to tear apart thereby to separate first protective peelable tape layer 18 into two portions which can be peeled back and away from substrate 11. Also in a particularly preferred form second protective peelable tape layer 19 comprises a single portion extending substantially coextensively over second working face 13 except for a portion close to the ends of substrate 11 thereby allowing a user to peel the second protective peelable tape layer 19 back from either end of substrate 11 for example by inserting a finger nail between the end of the peelable tape layer and the second working face 13.

Composition:

In a first preferred form substrate 11 is made from polymeric, polythene, polyurethane plastics or rubber material or similar in the form of a substantially inextensible tape.

In a second preferred form substrate 11 is made from an extensible and compressible material. For example a silicone based gel can be utilised to construct the substrate so as to have these properties.

The glue layer comprises a glue which preferentially adheres to the working face of the substrate and not to the peelable tape layer thereby allowing the peelable tape layer to be peeled from substrate 11 whilst leaving their respective glue layers adhering to the substrate 11. Similarly, in use the respective glue layers non-preferentially adhere to inside surface 21 of heel strap 16 of shoe 17 and at the same type non-preferentially adhere to foot 22 of a wearer (not shown) or, in the alternative, to textile or like material 23 worn on foot 22 for example comprising a sock or stocking. A non limiting example of a suitable glue material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,414,073 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by cross-reference.

In Use:

In use a prospective user of the shoe accessory 10 according to any of the previously described compositions or embodiments typically will purchase a pack of a pre-determined number of shoe accessories (typically 6 to 10). The user then selects a one of the shoe accessories and peels first protective peelable tape layer 18 away from first working face 12 thereby to expose a first glue layer 14. The user then applies the first working face 12 to inside surface 21 of heel strap 16 as generally illustrated in FIG. 2 whereby first working face 12 is caused to releasably adhere to inside surface 21. The user then peels second protective peelable tape layer 19 away from second working face 13 and inserts the user's foot 22 into shoe 17. Once foot 22 is fully inserted in shoe 17 second glue layer 15 will cause second working face 13 of substrate 11 to releasably adhere to the skin 22 or to textile material 23 adorning foot 22. In either instance the effect of the relationship between the working faces of the substrate 11 and heel strap 16 and foot 22 is such as to cause the relative physical relationship of heel strap 16 to be maintained relative to foot 22 throughout the duration of the wearing of the shoe 17. In particular there is resistance to strap 16 sliding down the heel of foot 22.

In an alternative form the shoe accessory 10 according to various ones of the above described embodiments can be caused to adhere to other parts of shoe 17 so as to releasably connect other portions of shoe 17 to foot 22. In one form shoe accessory 10 can be releasably adhered to inside heel surface 24 and then correspondingly, to the lower portion of the heel or foot 22.

With reference to FIG. 3 it will be observed that the double-sided tape arrangement of the substrate 11, in use, seeks to prevent relative movement between foot 22 and the relevant portion of the shoe to which the substrate 11 is attached (in this embodiment the heel strap 16) in three dimensions. The dimensions are illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 3 as the mutually perpendicular coordinates XX, YY and ZZ.

Surprising, in at least some embodiments, it has been observed that the three-dimensional support relationship holds even where textile material 23 or the like is interposed.

With reference to FIG. 4, in one form, the shoe accessory 10 may be grouped into an even number (typically 10) and placed in a cylindrical container 25 and sealed therein. This assists in limiting degradation of the glue and other components of the shoe accessory.

Conveniently this cylindrical container arrangement can be stacked as illustrated into a dispenser 26 in a stacked vertical arrangement, which the lowermost container may be removed at time of sale. The next lowermost container is then presented under the weight of the further containers above it.

In summary, one may say that the shoe accessory in at least some preferred embodiments comprises double sided adhesive strips that seek to prevent sling back shoes and backless shoes (known as mules) from slipping when worn either with stockings or when the shoes are old and the sling back straps have stretched. The aim is to keep the strap from moving in any dimension relative to the foot, for the purpose of aiding walking in these types of shoes no matter what season as the tape seeks to keep the shoe from slipping even when stockings are worn. Hence sling backs and mules may be worn for dancing and as evening shoes with stockings with the benefit that in at least some preferred embodiments there is less likelihood that the wearer will lose their shoes or feel that the shoes provide insufficient support.

In particular forms, because the substrate has adhesives on both sides, it is possible to stack the shoe accessories. So for example one may stack two or three of the previously described elongate accessories in order to provide more cushioned support under the ball of the foot.

These stacked accessories adhere to each other and will, in effect, function as one composite accessory.

Further Embodiments

With reference to FIG. 5 there is illustrated a shoe accessory 110 according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention and wherein like components are numbered as for the previous embodiments.

In this instance the substrate 111 incorporates rounded ends as illustrated. The rounding may be in the form of hemispheres or could be oval or other generally rounded shape.

In this particular embodiment the protective tape layer 118 take the form of two half layers 118A and 118B arranged so that layer 118A overlays layer 118B at a mid-region as illustrated generally in FIG. 5.

In addition, in this embodiment, the glue layers 114 are arranged to have a different degree of adherence on one side of the substrate as compared with the other. More particularly it is arranged so that that side of the substrate which is to be applied against the strap or other portion of the shoe is arranged to have greater adherence than the glue on the other side which is to be applied to the wearer's skin or wearer's apparel.

In addition in this embodiment the thickness T of the substrate 111 can vary between a minimum thickness of 0.01 mm through to a potential maximum thickness of 10 mm.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment 210 of an improved shoe accessory wherein the substrate 211 is of a substantially oval shape which, in some embodiments, is suited for placement under the ball of the foot within a shoe.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further circular shape for the substrate 311 also particularly suited although not exclusively for placement under the ball of the foot. In this instance the diameter of the circular shape preferably lies in the range of 30 mm to 70 mm.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further square cross-section for the substrate 411 wherein the sides can lie in the range 30 to 70 mm and again, is suited although not exclusively for placement under the ball of the foot so as to maintain the mechanical relationship between the ball of the foot and the shoe in which the wearer's foot is placed.

As for previous embodiments the preferred material for the substrate is silicone or similar material.

Second Preferred Embodiments—Clothing Accessories

Tapes in this embodiment may be used to releasably fasten overlapping edges of a garment one to the other, for example to prevent undesirable gaps 501 as shown in FIG. 9. Alternatively, it may be desirable in some cases to fasten a portion of an outer garment to an undergarment for a similar purpose or for support of the undergarment.

In other applications, the tapes may be used to adhere portions of a garment to the skin of the wearer, to prevent undesirable exposure, or for support, for example at the bodice of a strapless gown.

Another application for which the tapes of the present embodiment may be used is for temporary sealing of the pockets 502 in a garment as shown in FIG. 10, either to prevent unsightly bulging, accidental loss of contents or as a preventative measure against pick-pockets.

In this second preferred embodiment of a tape system according to the invention, a range of adhesive tapes is provided which in construction and variation is in most respects similar to the tapes described for the first preferred embodiment above.

Again with reference to FIG. 11, the clothing accessory or tape 500 of this embodiment also comprises a substrate 511 in the form of an elongate strip having a first and second working faces 512 and 513 substantially parallel one to the other and arranged on either side of substrate 511. The two working faces 512, 513 are spaced apart by substrate 511 a distance T′ which in preferred forms for this embodiment lies in the range 0.1 to 2 millimetres and more preferably is approximately 1 millimetres.

Similar to the strips of the first embodiment, (as shown in the inset comprising section AA in FIG. 1), both working faces may have applied to them respective glue layers, although in at least one preferred form of this embodiment, only one of the working faces is so provided. Preferably each glue layer is also less thick than dimension T of the substrate, and has a thickness no greater than 0.1 millimetre.

The tapes of this embodiment may be provided in varying widths and lengths. Preferably, a selection of tapes covering a range of widths and lengths may be packaged together, for example in the manner described above, such as in a cylindrical container.

In another form, tapes may be provided as a continuous roll 520 as shown in FIG. 11, from which a user may cut a selected length to suit a particular purpose.

In yet another form as shown in FIG. 12, tapes may be provided in sheet 521 form with perforations separating the strips so that strips 522 may be readily separated from the sheet 521 as required for use.

Regardless of whichever of the above forms that the tape 500 of the present embodiment is provided in, the glue covered working faces are, as for the first embodiments above, protected prior to use by peel-off layers of suitable non-adhesive material.

In view of the various types of materials and textures of garments as well as the skin of a wearer to which the present tapes may be applied, the working faces 513 and 514 may be provided with a range of strengths of glue layers.

In one form, a set of tapes may be provided with varying degrees of adhesiveness but with the same strength of adhesion in both layers.

In another form, the set of tapes may again be provided in a range of strengths but in this set the lowest grade will have the lowest adhesive strength on the one side with a somewhat greater strength on the other, with the next strongest tape in the set having the stronger strength of the first tape on its “weaker” side with a stronger strength of adhesive on its opposite side.

Adhesive strengths of the various tapes may be indicated on the peel-off cover strips, either by some alpha-numeric graded system or by some gradations of colours for example. Suitable guidelines for use of the various adhesive strengths may be provided on the packaging in which the tapes are provided.

In yet a further form as shown in FIG. 13, at least one side of a tape strip 500 is provided with a non-adhesive section 530. In this form, each of the outer ends 531 and 532 of tape 200 are provided with an adhesive layer adapted to adhere to the opposite edges of an article of clothing, such as the opposing edges 534 of a blouse 536. The opposite side (that is the side against the wearer's skin) may or may not be provided with an glue layer. In this form of the tape, the outer and non-adhesive section 531, in effect the visible substrate, may be provided in a range of colours so that the tape provides a secure yet decorative closure means for the garment. Tapes of this configuration may also for example, be applied to control the edges of hospital gowns.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

1. A shoe accessory adapted to releasably adhere to an inside surface of a shoe and at the same time also releasably adhere to a wearer's foot or textile material on the wearer's foot; said shoe accessory comprising a flexible substrate; said substrate having a first working face and a second working face; said first working face lying substantially parallel to and coextensive with said second working face; said first working face spaced from said second working face in the range 0.01 mm to 10 mm; said first working face covered with a first glue layer; said second working face covered with a second glue layer.
 2. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said substrate is comprised of a substantially non-extensible plastics material.
 3. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said substrate is comprised of an extensible, compressible material.
 4. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said first glue layer preferentially adheres to said first working face and said second glue layer preferentially adheres to said second working face.
 5. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said first glue layer is of a different adhesive strength to said second glue layer.
 6. The accessory of claim 5 wherein that glue layer intended for application against a portion of said shoe has a greater adhesive strength than the glue layer intended for application against the wearer's foot or textile material on the wearer's foot.
 7. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said first working face is spaced in the range 0.1 mm to 6 mm from said second working face.
 8. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said first working face is spaced approximately 2 millimetres from said second working face.
 9. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said first working face is spaced in the range 2 mm to 4 mm from said second working face.
 10. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said substrate is in the range 4 cm to 12 cm in length.
 11. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the length of said substrate is in the range 6 cm to 12 cm.
 12. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the length of said substrate is approximately 8 cm.
 13. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the width of said substrate is in the range 3 mm to 10 mm.
 14. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the width of said substrate is in the range 3 mm to 7 mm.
 15. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the width of said substrate is approximately 7 mm.
 16. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said inside surface of said shoe is a rear strap of said shoe adapted to support an ankle region of a wearer of said shoe.
 17. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said inside surface of said shoe is an inside heel surface.
 18. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said inside surface of said shoe is an inside ball of foot surface.
 19. The accessory of claim 1 which, in use, provides resistance to relative movement between said inside surface of said shoe and said wearer's foot in three dimensions.
 20. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said substrate is elongate.
 21. The accessory of claim 20 wherein said substrate has rounded ends.
 22. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said substrate is substantially circular.
 23. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said substrate is substantially square. 24-42. (canceled) 